Complex Sentences in Russian: Subordination and Coordination

Complex Sentences in Russian: Subordination and Coordination

Complex sentences in Russian consist of two or more clauses, connected in a way that reflects their logical and grammatical relationship. These relationships are established using coordination or subordination, which determine whether the clauses are of equal importance or if one depends on the other. In this guide, we will explore both types of connections, their functions, and examples to clarify their use in Russian.


1. Coordination in Complex Sentences

Coordination connects two or more clauses of equal grammatical status. These clauses can stand alone as independent sentences but are joined to show a relationship between them. Coordinating conjunctions are used to achieve this connection.

Common Coordinating Conjunctions in Russian

  • И (and)
  • А (and/but)
  • Но (but)
  • Или (or)
  • Зато (but/yet)
  • Однако (however)

Examples of Coordinated Sentences

  1. Я учу русский язык, и мой друг учит английский.
    (I am learning Russian, and my friend is learning English.)
    • The conjunction и links two independent clauses.
  2. Он хотел пойти на концерт, но билетов не было.
    (He wanted to go to the concert, but there were no tickets.)
    • The conjunction но expresses contrast between the two clauses.
  3. Ты можешь остаться дома или пойти с нами.
    (You can stay at home or go with us.)
    • The conjunction или presents a choice between two options.

2. Subordination in Complex Sentences

Subordination connects two clauses in a way that one (the subordinate clause) depends on the other (the main clause). The subordinate clause provides additional information about the main clause, such as reasons, conditions, or time. Subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns are used to establish this relationship.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions in Russian

  • Что (that)
  • Потому что (because)
  • Когда (when)
  • Если (if)
  • Хотя (although)
  • Так как (since)
  • Чтобы (in order to)
  • Где (where)

Examples of Subordinated Sentences

  1. Я знаю, что ты прав.
    (I know that you are right.)
    • The subordinate clause что ты прав explains what the speaker knows.
  2. Мы остались дома, потому что шёл дождь.
    (We stayed home because it was raining.)
    • The subordinate clause потому что шёл дождь provides the reason for staying home.
  3. Если ты пойдёшь, я пойду с тобой.
    (If you go, I will go with you.)
    • The subordinate clause если ты пойдёшь sets the condition for the action in the main clause.
  4. Он сказал, где находится магазин.
    (He said where the store is located.)
    • The subordinate clause где находится магазин provides the content of what was said.

3. Types of Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate clauses in Russian can serve different functions in a sentence. Below are the main types:

A. Subject Clauses

The subordinate clause acts as the subject of the main clause.

  • Важно, чтобы ты пришёл вовремя.
    (It is important that you come on time.)

B. Object Clauses

The subordinate clause acts as the object of the main clause.

  • Я думаю, что он придёт.
    (I think that he will come.)

C. Adverbial Clauses

These describe when, why, how, or under what conditions the action of the main clause occurs.

  • Когда я пришёл, он уже ушёл.
    (When I arrived, he had already left.)
  • Он остался дома, потому что устал.
    (He stayed home because he was tired.)

D. Relative Clauses

These describe or provide additional information about a noun in the main clause.

  • Дом, который мы купили, очень красивый.
    (The house that we bought is very beautiful.)
    • The subordinate clause который мы купили describes the noun дом (house).

4. Punctuation in Complex Sentences

In Russian, commas are often used to separate clauses in complex sentences. The rules for punctuation depend on the type of conjunction and the relationship between the clauses.

Examples:

  1. Мы пошли в парк, потому что погода была хорошая.
    (We went to the park because the weather was nice.)
    • A comma separates the main clause and the subordinate clause.
  2. Я знаю, что он придёт.
    (I know that he will come.)
    • A comma separates the main clause and the subordinate clause introduced by что.
  3. Ты останешься дома или пойдёшь с нами?
    (Will you stay home or go with us?)
    • No comma is used with the coordinating conjunction или.

5. Examples of Coordination vs. Subordination

TypeExampleTranslation
CoordinationОна готовила ужин, и дети играли в комнате.She was cooking dinner, and the children were playing in the room.
SubordinationКогда она готовила ужин, дети играли в комнате.While she was cooking dinner, the children were playing in the room.
CoordinationОн хотел помочь, но не успел.He wanted to help, but he didn’t have time.
SubordinationОн не помог, потому что был занят.He didn’t help because he was busy.

6. Summary

  • Coordinating conjunctions connect clauses of equal importance and establish relationships such as addition (и), contrast (но), or choice (или).
  • Subordinating conjunctions create a dependence between the main clause and the subordinate clause, providing reasons, conditions, or additional details.
  • Word order in complex sentences is flexible, but punctuation rules must be followed to ensure clarity.

Mastering complex sentences allows learners to express more nuanced ideas and build connections between thoughts, which is essential for fluency in Russian.


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